George W. Bush is a proud new grandfather and fascinated by his unlikely new hobby : painting .

But some things have n't changed a bit : the trademark smirk when he is amused , a squinty glare when he does n't appreciate the question -- and a quick turn to humor when the conversation turns to `` legacy , '' including the scars of Iraq or the cloud of Katrina .

`` History will ultimately judge the decisions that were made for Iraq and I 'm just not going to be around to see the final verdict , '' the two-term president told CNN in a wide-ranging interview .

`` In other words , I 'll be dead . ''

On Thursday , every living president will be on hand for the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas . One , of course , will be his father , George Herbert Walker Bush ; the other three , Democrats -- Presidents Jimmy Carter , Bill Clinton and Barack Obama .

By the Numbers : Presidential libraries

The 43rd president said he has learned lessons from his predecessors about how to make a mark after leaving the White House .

`` You learn that life does n't end after you 're president , '' Bush said . `` In other words , you 're going a hundred miles an hour and , and , in my case , we woke up in Crawford and now it 's going zero . And so the challenge is how to live life to its fullest .

`` In my case , I 've chosen to do so outside the limelight . On the other hand , I am confident that when this chapter of our life is finished , that we 'll both be able to say that we 've advanced the cause of peace and freedom and -- and the human -- and helped improve the human condition . ''

Remembering 43 : ` Bush tended to ... follow strong people '

In July , Bush visited Zambia and Botswana to promote a health initiative that focuses on cervical and breast cancer prevention and treatment . He also helped create the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund , which focuses on long-term economic reconstruction projects that create jobs and promote economic opportunity .

Laura Bush said her husband rarely itches to add his voice to the daily political debate . The former president said he knows the library dedication will re-stir the debate about his presidency , and he conceded the library is in part an effort by him and supporters to influence history 's verdict .

But he predicted visitors would find it `` more objective '' than they might have imagined and he showed little interest in revisiting flash points like Iraq , Hurricane Katrina or the 2008 financial crisis . Or the scorn with which many look back at the Bush presidency .

A glimpse at a White House before everything changed

`` You know , I 'm really not that concerned about why people did what during my presidency . '' Bush said . `` I 'm more concerned about being an effective person for the rest of my life .

`` I know this , that Laura and I gave the presidency eight years of our life . We gave it our all . Made the best judgment calls I could . I did n't compromise my principles . And I 'm a content man . And I am excited about what we 're going to do here . ''

The library path is a quick reminder of how everything changed on a crisp September morning . One early exhibit is filled with children 's books -- education reform was to be a major first term priority .

Brazile : Bush came through on Katrina

Then , the dress Laura Bush wore to a state dinner on September 6 , 2001 , for then-Mexican President Vicente Fox . Candidate Bush had promised a humble foreign policy , with a heavy focus on the Western Hemisphere .

One step past images of that festive dinner takes you into the horror and carnage of September 11 , including a twisted beam from the second tower of the World Trade Center and the bullhorn the president used during his now iconic visit to the rubble at ground zero a few days after the attacks .

Given his heavy focus on terrorism as president , we began the conversation with his thoughts when he heard the news of the explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line .

`` I was reminded that evil exists , '' Bush said . `` And that there are people in the world who are willing to kill innocent people to advance a cause . ''

History 's jury is still out on George W. Bush

The Decision Points Theater is a centerpiece of the library tour . Visitors can relive big Bush administration policy debates , and read and listen to some of the advice given to the president at the time . Then they can pick a course of action .

Never known as one to second-guess himself , the former president conceded problems in administering the Iraq war but was adamant he believed history would embrace the decision to go to war .

A Bush White House before everything changed

Asked if he is now convinced he launched the war with too small a U.S. military force , Bush said , `` There are some -- you know , tactics that need to be revisited . On the other hand , the removal of Saddam Hussein was the right decision . America is more secure . The Iraqi people have a chance to live in a free society . ''

He said he will take no offense if museum visitors come to a different conclusion .

`` The museum is a -- it does give people the opportunity to hear the different points of view that I got on these particular issues , '' he said . `` The purpose of which is not to try to defend the policy . The purpose of which is to try to show people what it 's like to be the president . And how you make decisions . ''

Another exhibit includes former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice explaining enhanced interrogation tactics used against some suspected al Qaeda terrorists taken into U.S. custody .

Stand back : Bush is ` busting stereotypes '

Veterans of Bush administration policy battles might wonder why former Vice President Dick Cheney does not have that role in the library , given his strong support for the tougher interrogations , including waterboarding in a few cases .

Cheney is attending the ceremonies , and while he has written and talked openly about differences with his former boss late in their White House years , President Bush brushed aside any talk of bad blood .

`` No , it was never strained , '' Bush said . `` I think that 's the mythology that we 've escaped . In other words , there 's a mythology in Washington . ''

Reminded of Cheney 's recollections in his book , especially over the president 's refusal to pardon longtime Cheney aide and friend Lewis `` Scooter '' Libby , the former president added this to the talk of tensions :

`` Not really . They were on Scooter Libby . Yeah , he did n't agree with that decision . But I do n't -- you know -- people ought to look at the total picture . And we 're friends then and friends now . ''

By the numbers : The Bush family

Other highlights of the interview :

On his debate just before Katrina hit about whether to overrule Louisiana 's governor and send in federal troops :

CNN : People were telling you , `` Mr. President , maybe you need to declare an insurrection . ''

George Bush : Insurrection . Which would have been pretty difficult . Not pretty di -- very difficult . Yeah , so I -- it just points out the dilemma . ...

CNN : Do you wish in hindsight you had done it ?

George Bush : No , not really . I 'm -- you know , I get -- there 's no telling how history would have recorded the situation had I declared an insurrection . I can tell you the decibel level would have risen even louder than it was .

Hopefully people will go to the Decision Points Theater and say , `` Wow , I did n't understand that . '' Or , `` I now understand it better . ''

On whether he feels personal redemption now that many Republican leaders are pushing immigration policies that mirror his failed proposals :

George Bush : No , I do n't . I do n't really view it as redemption , I view it as smart .

And logical . And I was real proud of my little brother being out there , you know -- pushing the issue . Because he understands the issue well . Eventually these problems will get solved . And a president just has to understand that not every issue gets solved during his presidency . But he can contribute to the ultimate solution .

On whether that brother , former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush , should seek the 2016 GOP nomination :

George Bush : Well , big Jeb , you know , he 's got a decision to make . And if I could make it for him , it 'd be , `` run , '' but I ca n't . And I do n't know what he 's going to do . He 'd be a great candidate and a great president .

On plans for a third trip to Africa this summer :

George Bush : I think it 's important to set priorities in life . I always said that one of the principles that was important to me was human life . We went to Africa and saw people dying , needlessly dying . And there 's nothing more important , I think , and Laura thinks as well , to help somebody live .

And so during my presidency I convinced Congress to spend taxpayers ' money to save lives not only from HIV but as well from malaria . And it worked . And we want to continue that type of work with cervical cancer .

Finally , on his post-presidential hobby of painting :

Laura Bush : Who would have thunk it ? George was looking for a pastime , actually , when he gave up smoking cigars . So he read Churchill 's book , `` Painting As a Pastime '' and he 's actually very good . He 's a very good painter .

George Bush : I relax . I see colors differently . I am , I guess , tapping a part of the brain that , you know , certainly never used when I was a teenager . And I get the satisfaction out of completing a project . And I paint people 's pets . And I love to give them their pet as a gift .

And I readily concede the signature is more valuable than the painting .

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CNN 's John King gets a private interview with George and Laura Bush

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A sense of legacy is in the air on eve of Bush presidential library 's opening

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Bush talks about milestones of his presidency , relationships with his staff